Goalkeeper shines in 2-0 loss to Skyview

SOLDOTNA — Skyview had its pick of scoring chances Friday against visiting Houston. The Hawks, however, boasted senior keeper Danielle Holcomb, a virtual stone wall despite playing in just her fifth game.

A scoreless tie seemed like destiny for these two winless squads on Friday.

“I didn’t want to think like that,” said Panthers coach Rustin Hitchcock. “But it was creeping up on me and it definitely seemed like it for a while.”

Senior midfielder Jessica Stewart wanted no part of a draw.

Following a pair of penalty shots saved by Holcomb in the 70th and 71st minutes, Stewart did what she’d been instructed to all season — she uncorked a laser from 35 yards out that sailed over the Houston defense, the outstretched arms Holcomb and into the upper right corner of the goal. The Panthers found the back of the net once more in earning a 2-0 nonconference win, their first of the season.

The Panthers (1-7) owned the Hawks (0-5) in the first half, but couldn’t strike while the iron was hot. They hit the crossbar, rolled shots just wide and squandered breakaways. It didn’t help that Holcomb saved everything that came her way.

“Their goalie was amazing. I have to give her awesome props,” Stewart said. “Her team wasn’t much of a help on defense but their goalie was awesome. We pounded her with a lot of inside shots, a lot of outside shots and she took them all.”

Houston coach Wendy Dodge said it was not only Holcomb’s best outing of the season, but also the entire team’s.

“It was amazing,” she said. “Our girls played hard and their girls played hard. We’re very proud of them. They did a great job. I think she blocked about 30 shots this whole game. We’re very sad to be losing her next year.”

Nikiski 4, Houston 0

NIKISKI — Britany Tuttle scored twice, once on a penalty shot, in helping the Bulldogs earn a shutout over the visiting Hawks in nonconference action Saturday.

Hillary Bogard also scored for Nikiski, as did Angie Parrish, who set up the penalty shot by being taken down from behind on a breakaway.

Freshman goaltender Koey Dixon earned her first shutout of the season.